A five-year-old football fan has become an internet sensation with a genius outfit choice when his school asked pupils to dress up as their favourite sports star.

Jacob, aged five, chose to turn himself into 52-year-old Everton football manager Sean Dyche, complete with a ginger face paint beard and eyebrows topped off with two online-bought bald caps covering his head.

The hilarious transformation was shared on the social media site X by mum Tia, who captioned her post:”School said come dressed as your fav sports star and my jacob understood the assignment.”

The photos have since been more than 3.2 million times and had more than 16,000 likes on the site.

Speaking to the BBC, Tia said: “I didn’t realise he would go straight for the manager, I said ‘are you sure?’ And he said, ‘mum, I want to wear a bald cap’.

“The teacher’s told me they couldn’t get over it. He’ll probably put the outfit on again, he’s loving it.”

Jacob completed his look wearing a black Everton tracksuit top with club badge proudly displayed.

Schools inviting pupils to wear fancy dress has become very popular in recent years, with World Book Day in March proving a massive hit.

In hommage to their favourite books children dress up as a preferred character which provides a fun activity and a way to promote childhood literacy.

Sean Dyche joined Everton as manager in 2023, having previously managed another side from the North West, Burnley.

Mr Dyche is famous for his no-nonsense style and gruff-toned voice, and despite a difficult last season with Everton, marred by a points deduction, he was able to keep the side in the Premier League.

The manager was rewarded for his efforts in April when he was named Manager of the Month for taking an impressive 13 points from a possible 18.

The run, which included four wins in a row at home, secured survival for the Liverpool-based club.